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Bay Area Looks To Form Regional Emergency Network

SAN JOSE (KCBS) _ Bay Area cities are looking at creating a regional public safety broadband network for first responders.

Acting San Jose Police Chief Chris Moore said video will be an increasingly important tool for emergency first responders.

KCBS’ Mike Colgan Reports:

“For example, if you were to have a vehicle accident in a remote part of Marin County, and be able to show video from the crash scene to the emergency room doctors at the hospital, we’ll be able to treat the patients better earlier,” said Moore. “But you need a network that has high bandwidth to do that.”

Moore said it would be invaluable in major emergency situations.

“Let’s say a plane were to go down in the Bay Area. You’re bringing in resources from all over,” he said. “Fire and police, having a platform where all of them could be sharing data across a network. It’s something we need to have happen and there is a lot of movement in Congress to actually provide this sufficient bandwidth, as well as funding to build a national network.”

There are still many unanswered questions regarding the project, including how much cities would have to kick in for such a network.